Pardon my ignorance but I have not seen many dollar bills. When did this 'New Order' stuff first appear on your dollar bills?

This New Order nonsense doesn't exist it's simply a catchy sound-bite, an attempt to grab a few media headlines (a bit like Tony Blair's 'Stakeholder economy' bullshit). The Bank of England certainly would print 'Stakeholder Economy' or 'The Middle Way' or any other catchy phrases on UK currency.

Anyway money should be for buying stuff, not for spreading political or religious messages, even if the dollar bill claims that God has given the 'New Order' his personal seal of approval. Did he give his approval by writing in tablets of stone or did he appear in a vision before the US Senate?

Unfortunately for you, my American friends I very much doubt it. It's not only about how the regulations are written, it's about the general prohibitionist attitude that seems to pervade in the USA.

The USA seems to take the attitude of 'what other intoxicants ar there that we haven't already banned and lets' ban them also'. European countries take a much more tolerant and liberal appraoch. In the UK for example (probably one of the least liberal-minded nations in Europe) mainstream political opinion (as well as public opinion) is in favour of legalising cannabis. It has now been downgraded to a class C drug and for possession you now receive a police caution (that's if they're bothered to deal with it at all), no court appearance, no fine, no criminal record. The decriminalisation of Class A drug (Heroin, Cocaine etc) users is now being openly talked about within mainstream politics.

Can you really see this approach being taken in the USA where your politicians seem to be stuck in the prohibitionist dark ages.

I whole-heartedly agree. I vote Libertarian at every election. I had been with a 'guerilla advertising' group at one point. We had plans to basically flood the walls and car dashboards with Libertarian flyers. (we didnt ask them for permission). We never did it becasue we thought better of it: We envisioned a news story about how the Libertarians are littering, in massive quantities, their 'propaganda'. We decided against it then, but now I think I might start it back up.

I didn't want to get into your "Depressed" Thread but do not forget that all of the equipment and drugs we use in veterinary medicine is the same and costs us the same as your medical doctor...But I do not not charge $200 for an office visit...

There is a anti smoking commercial ad on television followed by a anti-drug ad every 30 mins. I doubt absinthe would ever see the light of day in the US. As someone said because of all the taboo and mysterys. This country seems to be going backward not forward.

Jade Liqueurs' "Nouvelle Orleans" is certainly effective. And tasty. And aesthetically pleasing. I know this because I'm drinking it right now. The girl in my framed Absinthe Robette print is looking more beautiful than ever! I can't...stop...staring!

Europe lifting the bans seems like a mixed blessing-on one hand you can go in a bar and have a La Fee, but on the other they've messed with old Dr. O's recipes, so there's always this big authenticity discussion which never ends! As far as the US following suit-don't hold your breath, esp with the republicans in.

The problem is that, the way the US regs are written, the ban is on wormwood as an ingredient. In order to sell it legally here, SOMEBODY would have to petition the FDA to allow wormwood to be used in alchoholic beverages, which would require footing the bill for the research necessary to prove it is safe. There isn't enough money in the absinthe market to justify that expense.

So, is there anything that anyone knows about the US allowing sells of absinthe? I hear that the EU has lifted the ban completely (or is ready to) and Canada is going to as well. Maybe the US will follow suit?

{it}? is selling like hotcakes in Germany. Except that they don't SELL hotcakes in Germany, but you get my point. So, yeah, absinthe has the potential to be very popular, tho I suspect MOST of its appeal at this point in history is the mystique and taboo. I don't think the flavor is broad enough in its appeal, at least in the US, to ever become more than a fad. Most Americans don't like anise.

if {it} were more easily bought here in the states,{it} would be the only alcohol i would buy.i often wounder just how big of a seller absinthe would be if {it} was more available.i get the feeling that {it} would be a very successful.

Me too. The first time I tried absinthe I was just curious and wasn't too thrilled with the taste. It was okay, but... It was a gift (free booze) so, over time, I eventually drank the rest of the bottle. But somewhere between that tenative first glass and the end of the bottle I developed a genuine love for the flavor and can honestly say it's my favorite drink.